{"id":123796,"date":"2021-10-25T17:41:11","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T21:41:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=123796"},"modified":"2022-02-14T14:35:39","modified_gmt":"2022-02-14T19:35:39","slug":"ucf-student-adds-magical-touch-to-disneys-50th-anniversary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-student-adds-magical-touch-to-disneys-50th-anniversary\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Student Adds Magical Touch to Disney\u2019s 50th Anniversary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like father, like daughter. Following in her father\u2019s footsteps, Ana Beltran \u201919<\/strong> fell in love with the arts from a young age. Some of her earliest memories include watching her father bring concepts to life for his post-production company in Venezuela. The introduction to the world of animation, post-production, and broadcast television fostered her creative expression and passion for visual storytelling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw how much fun my dad had. And while I didn\u2019t know what I wanted to go into at the time, I knew it would be a creative field,\u201d says Beltran, who is currently completing a master\u2019s in animation and visual effects<\/a> at UCF.<\/p>\n

Immigrants from Venezuela, Beltran\u2019s family came to the United States to provide her with a better life and more opportunity. It\u2019s something that keeps her grounded and motivates her to follow her dreams. She attributes many of her successes to her family\u2019s unwavering support and her experiences at UCF \u2014 home to some of the top digital arts and entertainment programs<\/a> in the nation.<\/p>\n

Most recently, Beltran helped turn visions into life for Walt Disney World\u2019s 50th anniversary celebration. And just shortly before the scheduled Oct. 1 celebration, she had another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: working with her inspiration, her father. Javier Beltran was added as an animator on one of the projects she was part of to help with the show\u2019s final touches.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was such a sweet moment that I\u2019ll always cherish,\u201d she says. \u201cI watched him work on cool projects growing up, and now I had the opportunity to work with him on something so significant. It was very special and something I didn’t think I\u2019d ever get to share with him. He\u2019s been a big inspiration in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Creating Magical Experiences<\/h2>\n

After graduating with her bachelor\u2019s of fine arts in experimental animation<\/a> and bachelor\u2019s in game design<\/a>, Beltran packed up and headed to New York City where she got her start at ABC News. While broadcast television gave her first-hand industry experience, she remained focused on forging a path within animation. So, when an opportunity to create magical moments for Walt Disney World became available, she jumped at the chance to return home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe it was the right opportunity at the right time, and I was so happy to be close to family again,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

In January 2020, she started one of her first big projects: Beacons of Magic for Walt Disney World\u2019s 50th anniversary. The beacons light up the four park icons \u2014 three of which she worked on \u2014 to welcome the magic that inspires guests. She helped Cinderella\u2019s Castle, the Tree of Life and the Tower of Terror at Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, respectively, all come to life as the sun sets each day.<\/p>\n

Creating the beacon for the castle was one of Beltran\u2019s favorite memories. She was part of the previsualization process and modeled all the decor on the castle for the projection show purposes. And, today, the magic extends beyond just the parks. An image from the creative currently appears on McDonald\u2019s Happy Meal boxes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was an unexpected bucket list item for me,\u201d she says. \u201cI never expected to have my work appear on a Happy Meals box, but it was very cool and surprising to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Disney Enchantment was another project that Beltran was part of in preparations for the momentous celebration. The projection showcase adds touches of magic from Cinderella\u2019s Castle all the way down Main Street USA \u2014 the first time that lighting effects encompass more than just the castle.<\/p>\n

She relished the chance to animate on the same surface that she once walked down as a little girl, captivated by the magic. It\u2019s something that still provides a sense of nostalgia.<\/p>\n

“Being on the other side and getting to create some of that magic is just incredible.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cBeing on the other side and getting to create some of that magic is just incredible,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

The opportunity to work on new shows and experiences to kick off the festivities for Walt Disney World\u2019s 50th anniversary is a dream come true for Beltran. From visiting the parks with her family growing up to now creating some of that magic is something she never thought she would accomplish, especially at such a young age. Throughout each week, she still takes time to reflect on the impact of her work \u2014 ensuring that she never loses sight of the magic that embraces families at the parks every day.<\/p>\n

It was an incredible experience to be part of. And being able to celebrate that moment with my dad? It\u2019s something I\u2019ll always treasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think the magnitude of what we were working on hit me until I was in the park on Oct. 1 and had the chance to see people\u2019s reactions. I thought about how this will be a special memory for everyone \u2014 especially the kids. Seeing their faces light up as they watched the show is something I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d she says. \u201cIt was an incredible experience to be part of. And being able to celebrate that moment with my dad? It\u2019s something I\u2019ll always treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n